I recently started a new project. I've wanted to do a mounted figure for a while, so with some plucked up courage I ordered this relatively inexpensive 120mm Cavalry figure from the Verlinden North & South series. The main reason was to do my first horse. Here is the progress to date:



The figure is almost done - he just needs some weathering and dust.







One of my modelling friends has pointed out that my horse's neck is too short ?? What say you my learned friends ?
Seeing as this is just a painting trial project I will probably make do but I would be keen to know for future reference.



Any help appreciated.

Cheers
Andrew P.

Good work Andrew,
This is really coming along well. With so many blues to dean with you look to have cracked it.
My take on the horses neck......there is a marked difference from a tired horse and a grazing horse.
When eating grass a horses neck will stretch to reach the ground.
If a horse is tired the neck will just hang.
I guess that your horse is worn out and would look something like the first image.
The horse in the second image is wide awake and looking for food.
I hope that this helps in some way.
Keith.
Sorry about the size of the photos

Good intel Keith - thanks.

The Verlinden horse is still quite upright and tensed up. In your photo of the grazing beast the neck bends sharply down right from the point of the shoulders and the breast bone is quite a bit lower than your first pic.

Hi Andrew, very nice work on the figure. I'm no expert but I wouldn't have any issues with the Horse, it should paint up very well.

Claude

My first impression was that the horse looked tired, I'm no horse expert but I think it looks fine. I have had a 120mm mounted figure on the go for about five years so I'll look forward to your progress.

Nice work so far, as for the horse have it drinking from a water trough, that will suite the pose well and distract from the neck length, will also add something interesting to the groundwork.
Steve

It reminds me of this.

Looking good so far.

Cheers

Ray

Lovely work. I didn't even know they did this one !
I like it.... a lot.

Psul

Great info thanks guys. Water trough sound like a winner.

Hi Andrew look beaut, and your friend has a good eye, I'd have to agree, but by possibly a millimeter or two? Noce looking piece.
Regards
Chris.

Hi Andrew I'm so glad you have posted this piece . I have looked at it a few times on the Verliden site but it never really clicked with me enough to buy but seeing the superb job you are doing on this one I can see it's a fine piece . As far as the horse is concerned , it dose look really tired and on it's last legs . One way off painting it would be dusty with that white sweat horses get when they have been really push to there limits but that would mean you having to dust up the figure as well

Paul this is on special offer on Verlindins site just , now I know you'r working on a couple of Napoleonic figures just now but this is for sale around £ 30.+ postage . Something for the weekend at Price
chippy

The figure's looking very good.

Historex Agents have it for £37.75. Amazing price for a 120mm mounted figure.

Cheers,
Andrew

Got the basic tones airbrushed on the horse today. Pretty happy so far.





Thanks for watching.
Andrew P.

More work done on the head.

Hi Andrew,

In his excellent book Building & Painting Scale Figures, Shepard Paine produced a diagram showing the direction that horse hairs grow on the body to help illustrate how you can replicate hair details to give extra life and detail to your paint job. I've found that using this technique helps to emphasise the muscles and contours of the horse's anatomy. Sorry I can't show you a photo, but if you have the book I highly recommend you read it and try the technique.

Thanks Tony I'll follow that up for the next one.

Ok some more progress. Sabre is added to the figure and trial fitted. The horse is basically done except for reins and stirrups.

This is looking first rate so far. If you are from the USA, you'll know that US and UK cavalry hold their reins differently!

Happy modelling,

Mike

Looking good so far, I took this kit several years ago and converted it to a Canadian Mountie. You dont see a lot of 120mm anymore out there and its still my favourite scale.

Cheers

Ray